The Emirates will witness a mammoth clash of English titans as Arsenal host Liverpool in a fixture that could impact the Premier League title race.
It is still early in the title race as Arsenal face yet another big test in Liverpool, only this time at home. The Gunners will host Liverpool in a clash that would have massive ramifications for their title hopes, as they are already trailing the league leaders by four points. Mikel Arteta insisted in his post-Shakhtar Donetsk press conference that the Gunners will be flying on Sunday, although there is plenty of scepticism surrounding that idea.
Either way, Arsenal have endured a disruptive start to the season amid injuries and suspensions. Last weekend, they suffered their first loss of this season at the hands of Bournemouth. William Saliba saw red midway through the first half for preventing a goalscoring opportunity and will now miss the Liverpool clash.
Arsenal did manage a win over Shakhtar Donetsk in the UEFA Champions League, although they ended up finishing that game nervously and looked a bit shaky at the back. Plenty of injuries have hit Arteta’s side of late, and while they have managed themselves well earlier in the season in similar situations, the fans will be hoping for a revitalising result against Liverpool at the Emirates on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Liverpool can arguably think they are the in-form team in the Premier League following a solid start to the season under new manager Arne Slot. Last weekend, they dispatched Chelsea at Anfield in what was a convincing win, which provided an answer to questions about the Merseysiders in games against bigger opponents.
They also saw off RB Leipzig away from home in the midweek UEFA Champions League tie and now have set sights on another big scalp in the form of Arsenal. Liverpool have failed to win their last four Premier League games against the Gunners and suffered a 3-1 loss at the Emirates last season, when they came here with a decent lead over the Gunners in the title race.
This time around, these are two teams considered as challengers for the big prize. However, Liverpool will likely see themselves as favourites owing to the many problems at Arsenal with injuries and suspensions. With a win, Liverpool could open up a seven-point gap over the Gunners and put the North London club’s early title chances in jeopardy. Whichever way the game ends, it does promise fireworks.
Team News & Tactics
Arsenal
As has been Mikel Arteta’s standard practice in press conferences, he refused to provide a clear-cut update on some of their injury problems. Riccardo Calafiori was forced off against Shakhtar with a knee injury, and he remains a significant doubt for the Liverpool game. Yet, Arteta refused to rule him out.
The same goes for Jurrien Timber and Bukayo Saka, who are both significant doubts for this clash with their respective injury problems. Martin Odegaard remains out for the time being, while Arsenal will miss William Saliba, as his suspension adds to the significant issues at the back. All eyes will be on Arteta’s defensive selection, which will be clear once he names his teamsheet.
Considering Timber is available, Arteta could use him against Mohamed Salah in the left-back role. Jakub Kiwior and Oleksandr Zinchenko are also options at left-back, although the latter’s fitness is in doubt. Arteta could shift Ben White to partner alongside Gabriel Magalhaes. In that case, Thomas Partey should move into the right-back slot, which is something the midfielder has done plenty of times in the past.
In the above scenario, Mikel Merino and Declan Rice should feature in midfield. Alternatively, Rice could be used as a centre-back if needed, with Ben White as a right-back and Partey in his midfield role. In the attack, if Saka is deemed unfit, either one of Gabriel Jesus or Raheem Sterling could play on the right, with Leandro Trossard, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli all expected to start.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Raya; Partey, Ben White, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Jesus, Rice, Merino, Martinelli; Trossard, Havertz
Liverpool
Arne Slot also has his share of absentees in the squad, with first-choice striker Diogo Jota ruled out of the Arsenal clash. The Portuguese international suffered a rib injury last weekend, and the manager confirmed his absence from the tip to North London.
Alisson Becker will continue to nurse a hamstring injury sustained against Crystal Palace before the international break, while Conor Bradley and Federico Chiesa are also out of contention. Given the consistency with which Arne Slot has picked his starting lineup, it is not difficult to see how he sets up against Arsenal.
Darwin Nunez’s solitary goal in midweek against Leipzig does improve the manager’s confidence in him, as the Uruguayan will lead the line for Liverpool. Cody Gakpo seems to be ahead of Luis Diaz at the moment, as the Dutchman will likely start on the left wing, while Mohamed Salah will complete the front three.
The rest of the personnel will remain the same, including Caoimhin Kelleher in goal and a familiar back four, including Andy Robertson at left-back. Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch are the preferred central midfielders, although Arne Slot might stick with Curtis Jones in place of Dominik Szoboszlai in that attacking No.10 role.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Jones, Gakpo; Nunez
Key Stats
- Arsenal have won in nine of their last ten competitive games at the Emirates.
- Arsenal are unbeaten against Liverpool in their last four Premier League encounters.
- Liverpool have won seven of their eight Premier League games this season.
- Liverpool have won all of their six away games this season in all competitions.
- Liverpool have scored at least two goals in ten of their last 12 matches in the Premier League.
Player to Watch
Thomas Partey
There are plenty of injury problems, and with that, the ideal starting lineup remains under wraps with 24 hours left for the mammoth clash with Liverpool. Arteta could use the versatility of some of his stars, especially Partey, who has featured in that right-back slot before, and at this hour, the manager might use him there.
Whether he plays at right-back or central midfield, Partey will have to be in his best form, and he has proven that lately. This is a game of massive ramifications, and the Ghanaian must show his experience and expertise to manoeuvre through a challenge like this one to help his team come out on top.
Prediction
Arsenal 1-2 Liverpool
Liverpool have a clear advantage given how bad Arsenal’s injury problems are and the players potentially missing from action. On paper, Arne Slot’s side are the favourites to take three points. However, this prediction could go wrong given how formidable the Gunners are on home turf, as well as their evident ability to manoeuvre through even the toughest of situations, something they have already shown this season.
Arsenal may have a depleted squad. But in Mikel Arteta, they have a tactician who can set up to get a result. The Gunners are clearly affected by the formidable William Saliba’s absence, as he could be the difference between winning and losing by a small margin. The Gunners are expected to lose to the Merseysiders at the Emirates.
